and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion,
for you do not regard a person's status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
"Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax."
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?"
They replied, "Caesar's."
At that he said to them,
"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
REFLECTION
"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
Our taxes go for the protection of our lives via the police and military, the establishment of streets and highways, medical research, education and medical care for the uninsured. That is the government's basic responsibility and our responsibility is to pay the appropriate taxes meant to have all run smoothly. That is what we owe our government. In Jesus' time it was called the census tax. And this tax was paid with the Roman coin with the face of Caesar on it. The government should never extend its influence in our religious and spiritual life.
But what is owed to God? He supplies us with life, salvation from sin, death and hell. He took away the guilt of our sins and filled us with His love, His own Holy Spirit.
How do we pay Him back? How shall we make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for us? (Psalm 116).
In our place, Jesus offered to God everything. He became incarnate, yet still God, and He gave up His physical life to God as the only gift that sufficed to pay for our sins. The Father held nothing back when He gave up His own Son. It is at Mass that we give to God the only offering that is sufficient--His only Son. We hold nothing back at Mass. As part of His Mystical Body, the Church, we offer ourselves with Him and in Him at Mass. In the Eucharist we offer up our thanksgiving to God for our salvation, His ultimate gift of His Son.
Eucharist comes from the Greek word "eucharistia" meaning thanksgiving. It is in Mass that we pay God back in the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving. The Eucharist is the actual Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. So at Mass we celebrate the risen Lord with song, full of praise and many alleluias. We receive the Risen Body of God and we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The priest, acting in the person of Jesus, joins our lives to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, offering us to the Father. The priest gives praise and thanks to the Father for the whole work of salvation. PAPA prays for our priests, always remembering that they need prayers to continue with their vocation, their zeal and love for the Eucharist, and to bring as many people to God in His salvific plan. Please join us as we pray the PAPA prayer for priests.
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